Debate: O.C. voters rate Romney, Obama

As with the previous presidential and vice presidential debates, we assembled an ideologically diverse quintet of Orange County voters to watch Monday's event. They then responded to the question, "How have the debates changed your view of the candidates?"

Participants include three voters who at the outset of the debate hadn't finalized their decision of whom to vote for ­– Republicans Sheila Cook-Cohen and Chuck Habing, and independent Ken Gordon. There is also a Barack Obama delegate, Anila Ali, and a Mitt Romney supporter, Dorothy Sheldon.

The first responses are below. I'll add the rest as I get them.

To see running results in the OC Political Pulse poll of who did best in the third debate and to cast your own vote, visit ocregister.com/pulse.

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Chuck Habing, Republican, 51, Tustin, small business owner

"We all have had the opportunity to get to know President Obama over these last almost 4 years and I agree with some of his policies from those years. I feel like I know him to a certain extent.

"The biggest benefit of the debates for me was getting to know Gov. Romney and that he has appeared as an equal to the President. I better understand his plan for the next four years. I like his Five-Point Plan. I still do not have a good idea of the President’s plan. Although I did hear him mention is in very vague detail tonight, I would like to have heard more specifics.

"Overall I feel that the debates have allowed all of us to better know both men but I am happy that they are over. Now I just hope I can survive the coming avalanche of political ads over the next two weeks."

"My first presidential election was Reagan vs. Carter. The embassy hostage situation in Iran made the Democratic incumbent seem completely impotent as a Commander in Chief. I voted for Reagan because, as usual, the GOP candidate seemed to be the stronger bulwark against foreign threats.

"The role of Democrats being perceived as the weaker of the two parties on foreign affairs has sure flipped with this election. As I watched the debate tonight, this came even more into focus. President Obama was very successful at putting a spotlight on Gov. Romney's mixed messages and inconsistencies. I can't say Romney seems as hawkish as past GOP candidates, but he just seems less thoughtful and capable as Obama on the world stage.

"I truly feel that there is a safer, more secure world future for my children with Obama at the helm at this juncture. Despite the current domestic economic issues, foreign policy, and this debate, will probably be what will push me off the fence to vote for Obama."

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Anila Ali, Democrat, 45, Irvine, teacher

"Finally the presidential candidates were courteous and respectful. Although nothing much had changed from President Obama’s perspective, he aggressively and effectively asserted his views on foreign policy tonight. I think where he got his biggest moment in the debates was when he acted like the commander-in-chief and told Mr. Romney off for politicizing the Libyan tragedy. That indignation worked to his advantage; it got his base fired up again.

"Another advantage the president had was Romney’s shifting positions on issues, which portrayed him as an unreliable candidate. In the last debate, he stood out as the more experienced, level-headed candidate. He now has four years of experience running the nation- another term will allow him to fulfill all his promises to Americans."